Each of the 21 participating Delco Hi-Q teams have their first competition of the 69th season under their belt going into the holiday break. High scores mark the final week of the first leg of competition.
Last year’s champs, Garnet Valley, hosted a very competitive match with Haverford and Radnor. The three teams earned 161 combined points, the most of any match-up so far this season. Because there were few missed questions, there were few opportunities to earn bonus points. Preparation and practice were evident among all teams. In the end, however, Haverford High School emerged victorious having missed only two questions and answering all but one other correctly on the first try. Haverford was also the only team to pick up bonus points for correctly answering the few questions missed by their competitors. The three teams demonstrated dexterity among subject matter, including sports.
Final scores: Haverford, 59; Radnor, 54; Garnet Valley, 48
Springfield and Marple Newtown traveled to Penncrest for the second match-up of the week. The visiting teams proved to be challenging out of the gate, with correct answers to questions in the first four categories—Current Events, American History, Biology, and Sports. Correct first-try answers to the following four categories put the home team ahead of their competition by the mid-point but they would then trade the lead with Marple Newtown in the beginning of the second half before emerging victorious. Springfield and MNHS flexed history muscle, but Penncrest sealed a victory with prowess in math and literature. Springfield’s final score is pending an appeal, which is an option faculty advisers have the liberty of exercising when facts are in question. Following the contest, Marple Newtown gained one point on a successful appeal and Springfield lost two points on an unsuccessful appeal.
Final scores: Penncrest; 52, Marple Newtown, 45; Springfield, 31
Delco Hi-Q will be on hiatus during the holidays. Competitions resume January 4, 2017 when Sun Valley hosts Cardinal O’Hara and Penn Wood in the first of three meets that week. Chichester welcomes Bonner & Prendie and Ridley on the 5th, and Upper Darby and Valley Forge Military Academy will visit Haverford High on the 6th.
How Hi-Q Competitions Work
Each school team has ten members, and each school hosts one contest during the regular season. Three teams compete at each contest, and in the regular season competition there are three rounds. Questions prepared from 13 categories cover standard high school course content as well as general scholastic knowledge that students are expected to have acquired. Guidelines and specific reference material are provided to each team at the start of each season. Each participating high school hosts at least one regular season Hi-Q match. Team standings are determined by total cumulative earned points. At the end of the regular season, the highest scoring team bypasses the semi-final round to advance directly to the championship round. Teams ranking second through seventh compete in the semifinal round before advancing to the championship match.
Delco Hi-Q is a partnership between Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) and Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union (FMFCU). Veteran actor Tom McCarthy is Quizmaster, FMFCU Vice President Rick Durante serves as Director, Rachel Murray is Hi-Q Coordinator, and DCIU’s Dave Bramble is the production engineer.
In addition to support from participating schools, Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union and the Wilbur C. and Betty Lea Henderson Foundation are the primary corporate sponsors. Additional support comes from longtime sponsor Kimberly-Clark Corporation and the Delaware County Daily Times.
Stay up-to-date with Delco Hi-Q online at DelcoHiQ.org, Facebook, and Twitter.
